Merry Christmas to All...

Favorite Kitchen and Bar Stuffers

With all the holiday baking, serving and drinking, here are some of my favorite finds that have a great potential to make these tasks much more enjoyable. The Francis Francis X6 Espresso Maker ($399) is a darling and still parks itself on the top of my wish list. If you prefer a smaller alternative, below is the innovative Bialetti Cappucino Maker ($89.95) that even makes ready to drink cappuccino or lattes without the need of you using a frothing wand. I however, still think that using a frothing wand is really fun, or maybe that is a lingering effect from my old barrista days when I thought making frothy drinks for strangers for cash tips was absolutely the coolest job in the entire world.

The S-XL Cake Mould ($36) below is a wonderful tool for baking because it pre-shapes your cake into 15 pieces that come in a variation of sizes from small to extra-large so that everyone is size-o-happy. I love the idea although I am not sure how much need I have for this since I have been blessed with very well-behaved friends who always finish their desserts no matter their size :) Still, it makes an architecturally-interesting cake.

And for all the geeks adventurous enough to enter the kitchen there is now a perfect measuring cup. It is made out of laboratory-grade borosilicate glass with the standard ounce and milliliter graduation-marks, but if you look closer - you'll find marks for "volume of half a human brain," and "water in a cumulus cloud the size of a bus." Just because it's good practice and quite cheap ($12.99) keeping your cerebrum entertained while making a nice stack of pancakes.


Finally, these real concrete and glass tumblers are a neat piece of serveware to own!

Featured Designer - Shelly Riehl David

Shelly Riehl David of Riehl Designs has been on of my favorite designers for some time now, but besides admiring her work I can only wait and hope for the day when I can afford to hire her do decorate a room for me. I especially love how she does the transitional style, although her modern rooms are to be envied as well.